Tate McRae Just Told Us the High-Protein Snacks She’s Loving Right Now

If you’re a frequent pop radio listener, you have definitely heard Tate McRae’s voice. From her recent hits “Greedy” and “Exes” to her first TikTok-famous hit “You Broke Me First,” the Canadian singer-songwriter is all over the place—and we’re all about it!

And if you have caught a glimpse of McRae’s typical choreography for her performances, you won’t be surprised to learn that her career started as a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance. The star’s daily routine is filled with singing and dancing, which requires a ton of energy, so staying hydrated is especially important. That’s why McRae has partnered with Essentia Water, most recently helping launch their new Hydroboost product through a sweepstakes where fans can win tickets to her first U.S. tour date this summer and a year’s supply of Essentia.

Through this partnership, we were given the opportunity to chat with McRae about hydration and how she stays energized. Learn more below about her favorite protein-packed snacks and the food that “everyone makes fun of [her]” for loving.

EatingWell: What's your morning routine like?

McRae: I try to keep a pretty consistent schedule. That's the only thing that keeps me sane when I'm home. I'll usually wake up and I'll drink water as best as I can, usually with some lemon. Then I'll make breakfast and I'll go to the gym and start getting ready, and then I'll get ready for my studio session that day.

EatingWell: Do you have any go-to pre-workout foods or drinks?

McRae: I mean, I am a big fan of eggs. I eat a lot, probably way too many hard-boiled eggs. I'm 20, I'm not a perfect eater whatsoever and I think traveling makes that 10 times harder. But I think it’s all about fueling my body for my workouts and making sure I feel good, I feel full and that I'm drinking water between every couple bites. Now I'm drinking the Hydroboost from Essentia, which makes it so much easier because when I’m just sick of drinking regular water, I can have something that has no artificial sweeteners or anything too sugary throughout the day.

EatingWell: Favorite sneakers or workout gear?

McRae: I like to keep it pretty simple. I wear a lot of Adidas. I usually just wear a bra and leggings to the gym, nothing too crazy. 

EatingWell: Any favorite snacks to keep you energized while rehearsing?

McRae: I'll genuinely just have hard-boiled eggs, but I sometimes will have apples and peanut butter or a protein shake with collagen powder.

EatingWell: Do you have any food hot takes?

McRae: Everyone makes fun of me because I can just eat bread with a turkey slice on top. Everyone thinks it's the most foul thing ever, and I think it is so good. I eat it all the time.

EatingWell: Why partner with Essentia? 

McRae: I've been partnered with Essentia for a few years now. It's so amazing for me because I am terrible at drinking water, so it has constantly reminded me to drink every single day. I'm a dancer and singer and it's super crucial for me to stay healthy and hydrated when I have a pretty hefty schedule. It's always been a really easy brand partnership with me just because I feel like it aligns with my everyday life.

EatingWell: What does "eating well" mean to you?

McRae: I think eating well to me just means fueling my body and making sure I feel good. I think different foods work well for different bodies, so I think it’s trusting your body on what it wants and not restricting yourself. I feel like the more consistent I am with just listening to what I want and what makes me feel good has always resulted in me loving the way that my body feels. It helps me for performances and in the studio so that I have the most energy.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.